Le Marais is the most vibrant, most layered, and most delicious neighbourhood in Paris. The former Jewish quarter of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements offers an extraordinary concentration of great restaurants — from medieval courtyards to modern bistrots — that no other neighbourhood in the city can match. Here are ten that genuinely deserve your time.
One of the most romantic restaurants in Paris — a former medieval hospital courtyard transformed into a seasonally-driven bistro. The outdoor terrace in the cobbled courtyard is spectacular in summer.
A glamorous, Milanese-inspired restaurant in the Marais that has become one of the most talked-about openings in Paris. Beautiful people, beautiful pasta, and an energy that makes you feel like you're in the best restaurant in every city at once. Open until 2am.
A quintessential Marais bistro — lively, cheerful, and reliably excellent. The steak tartare is among the best in Paris, the wine list is reasonably priced, and the terrace on the Rue Vieille du Temple is one of the most pleasant places to spend an evening.
The Big Mamma group's most elegant address — a converted garage with an extraordinary glass-ceiling terrace. The pasta is freshly made and outstanding. Come for the Cacio e Pepe and stay for the tiramisu, which is the best in Paris.
A Provençal restaurant in the Marais that does the best ratatouille in Paris and a chocolate mousse served in an enormous bowl. Cheerful, colourful, and consistently excellent — a neighbourhood institution for decades.
Tucked into one of the most charming hidden alleys in the Marais — the Rue du Trésor — this bistro offers exactly the kind of Paris dining experience that stays with you. Classic French menu, good wine list, beautiful courtyard terrace in summer.
A wine bar-restaurant dedicated to Burgundy — both the wines and the food. The beef bourguignon is the best in Paris; the wine list covers the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune with remarkable depth. A complete address for Burgundy lovers.
One of the oldest restaurants in the Marais — in a medieval building with a beautiful spiral staircase that gives it its name (the snail). The classic French menu is honest and good; the atmosphere is authentically historic and deeply enjoyable.
The horseshoe bar at the centre of this legendary Marais café is one of the most photographed interiors in Paris. Excellent for a quick lunch — the club sandwich is outstanding — or for an afternoon coffee at the bar while watching the neighbourhood walk by.
A warm, cheerful bistro in the upper Marais where the cooking is creative, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is consistently excellent. One of the best mid-range restaurants in the neighbourhood for a spontaneous dinner without a reservation.
